Pinch-off and re-rounding tool or the like



March 9, 1965 F. R. WILSON PINCH-OFF' AND RE-ROUNDING TOOL OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 31, 1961 36 I INVENTOR FIG. 3 FRANK I?.W!LSON x d wv \lz MVM ATTORNEYS March 9, 1965 F. R. WILSON 7 P I NCH-OFF AND REI-ROUNDING TOOL OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 31, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 nvmvron. FRANK 9. WILSON BY M M ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,172,454 PINCH-OFF AND RE-ROUNDING TOOL OR THE LIKE Frank R. Wilson, Memphis, Tenn., assignor to Parker- Hannifin Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 31, 1961, Ser. No. 86,074

8 Claims. (Cl. 72-416) This invention relates to an improved tool for pinchingoff a tube or the like and, thereafter, re-opening the pinched-off portion of the tube by re-rounding the same.

Heretofore, various tools have been provided for closing a tube or line by pinching-off a portion thereof. In this manner, when a tube or line is being utilized to convey fluid or the like and requires repair thereof, such as replacement of a section in a refrigerator system, the tube can be closed intermediate the source of the fluid and the repair location by merely pinching-closed a desired portion of the tube. After the necessary repairs have been made, the pinched-off portion of the tube can be reopened by re-rounding the pinched-off portion.

However, prior known pinch-off tools crease the tube in such a manner that it is time-consuming and difficult to re-round the pinched-off portion of the tube. Further, two tools must be provided, one for pinching-off the tube and the other for subsequently re-rounding the pinchedotf portion of the tube.

According to the teachings of this invention, however, a single tool is provided that is adapted to readily and effectively close-off a tube or the like by pinching-closed the tube in such a unique manner that the tool is subsequently adapted to readily re-round the pinched-off portion of the tube back to its original cylindrical configuration without a time-consuming operation as in the past.

Further, the tool of this invention can pinch-off and reround tubes of varying sizes whereas in the past a different tool had to be provided for each different tube size.

One embodiment of this invention comprises a pair of bars or jaws each having a pair of opposed ends. Each jaw has a convex portion disposed adjacent one end thereof and at least one concave portion disposed adjacent the other end thereof, the convex portion and concave portion of each jaw respectively facing the convex portion and concave portion of the other jaw. A first pin or the like operatively interconnects adjacent ends of the jaws together, the first pin being pivotally secured to one end of one jaw and slidably connected to the adjacent end of the other jaw. A second pin is operatively connected to the other pair of adjacent ends of the jaws, the second pin being pivotally connected to the other end of the one jaw and slidably connected to the other end of the other jaw. In addition, the second pin is selectively pivotally movable into and out of sliding engagement with the other jaw.

The other side of the jaws are each provided with a convex portion and at least one concave portion so that the jaws can be reversed, when desired, and still provide facing convex and concave portions therebetween.

In this manner, the tool can be adjusted to be adaptable to pinch-off and subsequently re-round tubes of varying sizes, a feature not present in prior-known devices.

In particular, when it is desired to pinch-off a tube of a desired size, the jaws are adjusted so that complementary concave surfaces face each other and define a bore having the same diameter as the outside diameter of the desired tube. Once the tool is adjusted for a particular tube, further adjustment thereof is not required because regardless of the position of the jaws thereof, a pair of convex portions face each other.

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Thereafter, the tool is placed around the tube by disconnecting the second pin from its sliding connection with the other jaw and disposing the tube between the facing convex portions of the jaws. Subsequently, the jaws are pivotally brought together by tightening a nut on the free end of the second pin whereby the tube is pinched-closed between the mating convex portions of the jaws.

By disposing the convex portions of the jaws adjacent the pivoting end of one of the jaws and remote from the second pin, greater leverage is provided to pinch-close the tube when the nut is tightened on the second pin. Thus, the tube can be pinched-off with a minimum of time and effort by a simple hand operation.

Because the convex portions of the jaws are cylindrical, the tube is pinched-01f without unduly creasing the tube.

When it is desired to re-round the pinched-off portion of the tube to re-open the same, the pinched-oft" portion of the tube is disposed transversely between the opened jaws of the tool and between the appropriate pair of concave portions thereof. The jaws are then brought together by tightening the nuts on the free ends of the pins whereby the pinched-off portion of the tube is forced into its original cylindrical configuration by the mating concave portions of the jaws.

Therefore, it can be seen that the tool of this invention performs two functions heretofore unattainable in priorknown devices, namely, pinching-closed a tube or line and, thereafter, re-opening the pinched-off portion regardless of the size thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved tool for closing and opening tubes or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool for pinching-off a tube or the like in a simple and effective manner and, thereafter, re-opening the tube when desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool having a pair of reversible jaws for pinching-off a tube or the like, the tool being adapted to perform its pinching function regardless of the position of the jaws.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tool having a pair of jaws for re-rounding pinched-off portions of tubes orthe like, the tool being adapted to accommodate tubes of varying sizes.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive and simple-to-manufacture tool for pinchingclosed tubes or the like and, thereafter, re-opening the pinched-off portions.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the improved tool of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an axial, cross-sectional view of the tool illustrated in FIGURE 1 and is taken on line 2-2 thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, transverse, cross-sectional view of the tool illustrated in FIGURE 1 and is taken on line 3-3 thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the tool illustrated in FIGURE 1 and illustrates the method of initially pinching-olf a tube or the like.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrates the tool of FIGURE 1 in the final position thereof for closing-off the tube illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, transverse, cross-sectional view of the tool illustrated in FIGURE 5 and is taken on line 6-4; thereof.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, side view of the tool illustrated in FIGURE 5 and illustrates the method of patented Mar. 9, 1965 initiallyre-rounding the pinched-off portion of the tube I as being adapted to both pinch-off a tube and, thereafter,

re-round the same, it is to be understood that each of these portion and a tube re-rounding or re-opening portion.

While the jaws 12 and 14 can be formed of any suitable material and in any "suitable manner, the embodiment of the jaws 12 and 14 illustrated in the drawings are formed from metal bar stock having a substantially rectangular or square cross-sectional configuration.

The jaw 12-has a pair of opposed ends 24 and 26 and a pair of Opposed flat surfaces 28 and 311.

Similarly, the jaw 14 has a pair of opposed ends 32 v and 34 and a pair of opposed flat surfaces 36 and 38,

Each jaw 12 and 14 has a cylindrical portion 4% disposed adjacent the respective ends 24 and 32 thereof, the cylindrical portion having an outer peripheral surface spaced inwardly from the opposed sides 28, 39 or 36, 38 thereof, in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. The flat surfaces 28 and 36 of the jaws 12 and 14 are respectively interrupted by a plurality of spaced, parallel,

transversely disposed and semicircular grooves which define concave surfaces 42, 44 and 46 which respectively mate with'each other in the manner illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 2 to define cylindrical bores passing between the jaws 12 and 14 for a purpose hereinafter described. The respective pairs of concave surfaces 42, 44 and 46 cooperate together to define bores between the jaws 12 and 14 of varying sizes to accommodate tubes having varying sizes.

In addition, the other surfaces 39 and 38 of the jaws 12 and 14 are respectively provided with spaced, parallel, transversely disposed and semicircular grooves 48, 50 and 52, which are adapted to respectively cooperate with each other to form cylindrical bores between the jaws 12 and 14 when the jaws 12 and 14 are reversed and have the surfaces 30 andfid thereof disposed adjacent each other in the same manner as the surfaces 28 and 36 thereof, as illustrated in the drawings.

The opposed ends 24 and 26 of the jaw or bar 12 are respectively bifurcated to define open-ended slots 54 and 56 passing transversely therethrough as illustrated in FIG- URE 2.

The pins 16 and 18 respectively have enlarged ends 58 and 60, FIGURE 2, respectively disposed in the slots 54 and 56 of the jaw 12 and pivotally secured thereto by pivot pins 62 and 64. Each enlarged head 58 and 60 has complementary fiat surfaces 66 disposed in sliding engagernent with the bifurcated ends 24 and 26 of the jaw 12 to permit the pins 16 and 18 to be pivotally movable relative to the jaw 12 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The enlarged end 69 of the pin 18 is longer than the end 58 of the pin 16, for a purpose hereinafter described, the enlarged end 58 of the pin 16 extending only throughout the length of the slot 54 of the jaw 12.

The pins 16 "and 18 have threaded, cylindrical free end portions 68, FIGURE 2, extending from the respec? tive enlarged portion 58 and 69 thereof, the threaded pertions 68 being adapted to threadedly receive a pair of wing nuts 71) and 72 on the outer free ends thereof.

A bore 74 passes transversely through the end 32 of the jaw 14 and is adapted to telescopically receive the free end 68 of the pin 16 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2 to operativelyinterconnect the ends 24 and 32 of the jaws 12 and 14 together.

The other end 34 of the jaw '14 is bifuracted in a manner similar to the end 26 of the jaw 12 to define a slot76,

FIGURE 2, for selectively receiving the enlarged end 66 or free end 68 of the pin 18, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2.

If desired, lock-washers 78 and 80 can be disposed between the jaw 14 andthe wing nuts 79 and 72, as illustrated in the drawings.

When the wing nuts 70 and 72 are loosened, and the pin 18 is disposed in the position illustrated in FIGURE 2, the jaws 14 and 12 are adapted to be moved away or toward each other by sliding the jaw 14 on'the free ends 68 of the pins 16 and 18. Also, when the pin 18 is moved out of sliding engagement with the jaw 14 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4 and in the dotted position of FIGURE 1, the jaw 12 can be pivoted relative to the jaw 14 about the pivot pin 62. Thus, it can be seen that the'pin'16 pivotally connectsthe jaw 12 to the jaw 14 and also slidably connects the jaw 14 to the jaw 12.

The pin 18 is pivotally connected to the jaw 12 by the pivot pin 64 and is adapted to be slidably connected with the .jaw'14 when the pin 18 is moved from the position illustrated in FIGURE 4 into sliding engagement with the slot 76 of the jaw 14'in the manner illustrated in FIGURE ,2,

As previously stated, the jaws 12 and 14 are reversible, so that the surfaces 30 and 38thereof may be disposed in facing relation in the same manner as the surfaces 28 and 36 thereof, when-desired.

For example, when it is desired to change the tool from the position illustrated in FIGURE 2 to a position wherein the surfaces 30 and 38 thereofare facing each other, the wing nut '72 onthe pin 18 is loosened so that the pin 18 can be pivoted out of sliding engagement with the jaw 14 by moving the same to the right, as illustrated in FIGURE "2. Thereafter, the wing nut 70 and washer 78 are removed from the pin 16,,whereby the jaw 14 can be telescoped off of the pin 16.

Subsequently, the pin 16 is rotated degrees from the position illustrated-in FIGURE 2 in a counter-clockwise direction, so that the same projects from the'surface 30 of the jaw 12. Thereafter, the jaw 14 is inverted and telescoped over the pin 16, so that the surface 38 thereof will be facing the surface 30 of the jaw 12. Subsequently, the wing nut 71 and washer 78am telescoped on the pin 16, whereby the jaws 12 and 14 are held in a position whereby the surfaces 30 and 38 thereof face each other in the same manner that thesurfaces 28'and 36 thereof face each other, as illustrated in the drawing. Thus, the pairs of concave surfaces 48, 50 and 52 can be utilized for re-rounding pinched-off portions of tubes in a manner hereinafter described.

Further, regardless of the position of the jaws 12 and 14 relative to each other, the cylindrical portions 40 of the jaws 12 and-14 always provide facing convex surfaces for pinching-off a tube or the like in a manner hereinafter described.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the jaws 12 and 14 of the tool 10 .are readily reversible whereby the user can selectively adjust the tool 10 to locate the proper pairs of surfaces 28, 36 or 30, 38 toward each other when desired., a

The operation of the tool 10 will now be described. Assuming that the user desires to pinch-oh the tube 82 illustrated in FIGURE 4 by the tool 10, so that a portion of the tube 82 can be worked on without having fluid passing therethrough, the user determines the outside diameter of the tube 82 and then determines which set of concave surfaces 42, 44, 46, 43, 50, or 52 corresponds to such outside diameter of the tube 82. He then adjusts the tool in the manner set forth above, so that the appropriate set of concave surfaces will mate with each other in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1. For example, should the tube 82 be of the size that best corresponds to the concave surfaces 44 of the tool 10, the user adjusts the tool 10, if necessary, so that surfaces 28 and 36 of the jaws 12 and 14 are disposed adjacent each other in the manner'illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Thereafter, the user opens the jaws 12 and 14 by first loosening the nut 70 a sufficient distance to permit the jaw 12 to be pivoted relative to the jaw 14. Thereafter, the user loosens the nut 72 so that the pin 18 can be pivoted out of sliding engagement with the jaw 14 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4, whereby the jaws 12 and 14 can be opened up to the desired distance by pivoting the jaw 12 relative to the jaw 14. The tool 10 is then disposed about the tube 82 with the tube 82 being disposed between the convex surfaces 40 of the jaws 12 and 14 by telescoping the opened tool 10 over the tube 82.

When the tube 82 is disposed between the convex portions 40 of the jaws 12 and 14, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4, the pin 18 is pivoted back toward the jaw 14 to be disposed in sliding engagement therewith, with the pin 18 disposed in the slot 76 of the jaw 14 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2, whereby the user can tighten the nut 72 to cause the jaw 12 to pivot toward the jaw 14 and thereby begin to pinch-off the tube 82 between the facing convex surfaces 40 of the jaws 12 and 14.

Because the convex surfaces 40 of the jaws 12 and 14 are disposed closely adjacent the pivot point 62 of the jaw 12, a large mechanical advantage is provided when the wing nut 72 is tightened in the above manner, whereby the initial crimping of the tube 82 is accomplished with a minimum of time and elfort and can be simply done by hand without requiring wrenches and the like.

After the jaw 12 has been pivoted toward jaw 14, the final closing-off of the tube 82 can be accomplished by tightening both of the nuts 70 and 72 to the position illus trated in FIGURE 5, whereby the surfaces 28 and 36 of the jaws 12 and 14 are brought together and the opposed walls of the tube 82 are brought together in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6 to completely close off the tube 82. Because the convex surfaces of the cylindrical portions 40 are disposed inwardly from the fiat surfaces 28 and 36 of the jaws 12 and 14, the tube is not damaged thereby but is completely closed therebetween.

As illustrated in FIGURE 6, the cylindrical portions 40 of the jaws 12 and 14 provide a smooth pinched-off portion 84 of the tube 82 without unduly creasing the same.

If desired, the user can leave tool 10 in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 while he is Working on the desired section of the tubing 82 to repair or replace the same. For example, it may be found that the tube 82 is conveying fluid under such pressures that if the tool 10 were removed the pressures would be sufficient to cause the pinched-off portion 84 of the tube 82 to open slightly and thereby permit escape of the fluid. However, by leaving the tool 10 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 5, while the user is working on the tubing 82, the tool 10 prevents the fluid in the tubing 82 from passing through the crimped off portion 84 thereof.

After the tubing 82 has been repaired, the pinched-off portion 84 of the tube 82 can be readily re-opened by the tool 10, in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8.

In particular, when it is desired to re-round, and thereby re-open, the pinched off portion 84 of the tubing 82, the user loosens the nuts 70 and 72 a sufficient distance whereby the jaws 12 and 14 can be moved axially away from each other a sufiicient distance so that the tool 10 can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction approximately 90 degrees and permit the pinched-off portion 84 of the tube 82 to be disposed transversely between the 6 mating concave surfaces 44 of the jaws 12 and 14, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7.

Therefore, it can be seen that the tool 10 can be changed to the re-rounding position without removing the tool 10 from the tubing 82.

Thereafter, the nuts 70 and 72 are tightened to axially move the jaws 12 and 14 toward each other whereby the pinched-off portion 84 of the tubing 82 is re-rounded between the mating concave surfaces 44 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8 to thereby reopen the tubing 82.

Subsequently, the tool 10 can be removed from the tubing 82 by merely moving the pin 18 out of sliding engagement with the jaw 14 and pivoting the jaw 12 relative thereto in the manner previously described.

By locating the larger concave surfaces 46 and 52 of the jaws 12 and 14 adjacent the pivot point 64 of the pin 18, larger tubing can be re-rounded by utilizing the large mechanical advantage provided by the pivot point 64 of the jaw 12 being disposed closely adjacent the large concave surfaces 46 and 52.

For example, the jaws 12 and 14 can be so arranged during the re-rounding operation that the ends 24 and 32 of the jaws 12 and 14 are disposed at a greater distance apart than the ends 26 and 34 thereof in substantially the reverse manner illustrated in FIGURE 4. Therefore, during the initial re-rounding operation, the nut 70 can be tightened to pivot the jaw 12 toward the jaw 14 about the pivot point 64, so that a large mechanical advantage can be provided and such re-rounding can be accomplished with a minimum of effort.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the tool 10 of this invention not only provides means for readily pinching-off a tube or the like, but the tool 10 also provides means for re-rounding the pinched-off portion of the tube when desired, Without requiring removal of the tool 10 from the tube or requiring a separate tool, as in prior-known devices.

Further, the tool 10 can be adjusted to re-round tubes of varying sizes and, regardless of the position of the jaws 12 and 14 thereof, mating convex surfaces are provided, to permit pinching-oflf of the tubing without unduly creasing the same as in prior known devices.

Also, because the tool 10 of this invention provides for pivotal movement of the jaw 12 relative to the jaw 14 during initial pinching or re-rounding operations thereof with the tube or the like being disposed closely adjacent the pivot point of the jaw 12, a large mechanical advantage of the tool 10 is provided whereby the tool 10 can perform its respective function with a minimum of effort by the user thereof.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for closing a tube or the like comprising:

(a) a first elongated jaw having first and second ends,

(1)) a second elongated jaw having first and second ends,

(c) said jaws having opposed tube gripping surfaces extending between the ends of said corresponding aws,

(d) each tube gripping surface having a convex crosssection transversely of the longitudinal axis of its corresponding jaw,

(e) first means for pivotally connecting said first ends to permit swinging movement of said jaws in a plane containing the longitudinal axes of said jaws, and

(1) second means for operatively connecting said second ends and for moving said second ends toward and away from each other, so that a tube extending transversely between said jaws is pinched closed when said jaws are moved toward each other.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which each tube gripping surface is cylindrical.

3. A tool for closing a tube or the like comprising:

(a) a first elongatedjaw having first and second ends,

(b) a second elongated jaw having first and second ends,

(c) each jaw having a tube gripping portion extending longitudinally between its ends,

(d) each tube gripping portion having a first surface and asecond surface on the opposite side of said portion from said first surface,

(e) all said, firstand second surfaces extending longi tudinally of said tube gripping portions and having convex cross-sections transversely of the/longitudinal axes of said tube gripping portions,

(1) firstmeans for pivotally connecting said first ends to permit swinging movement ofsaid jaws in a plane containing the longitudinal 'axes of said jaws, sothat said first surfaces of said tube gripping portions oppose each other in one pivotal position to pinch a tube, and said second surfaces oppose'eachother in a reversed pivotal position to pinch a tube, and

(g) second means for operatively connecting said second ends and for moving said second ends toward and away from each other, so that a tube extending transversely between said jaws is pinched closed when said jaws are moved toward each other.

4. A tool for closing a tube or the like comprising:

(a) a first elongated jaw having first and second ends,

(b) a second elongated jaw having first and second ends,

(c) said jaws having opposed cylindrical tube gripping portions whose cylindrical axes extend longitudinally between said ends,

(d) first means for operatively connecting'said first ends for movement of said jaws toward and'away from each other,

(2) second means operatively connecting said second ends for movement of said jaws toward and away from each other,

(1'') abutment means for limiting the movement of said 5. The invention according to claim'4 in which said the like comprising:

(a) a first elongated jaw having first and second ends,

(b) ,a second elongated jaw having ,first and second ends,

(c) said jaws comprising first opposed tube gripping portions extending longitudinally between said ends, having opposedsurfaces convex in cross-section,

(d) said tube gripping portions being located, adjacent said first ends, 4

(e) said jaws comprising second opposed circular concave tube gripping portions, the axes of said second portions being transverse to the longitudinal axes of said jaws, V

(1) said second tube gripping portions being adjacent said second ends, V I

(g) first means for operatively connecting said first ends'andfor moving said first ends toward and away from each other, and

(h) second means for operatively connecting said sec- 7 ond ends and for moving'said secondends toward and away from each other, so that a tube extending transversely between said first gripping portions is pinched closed, and a pinched tube received between said second gripping portions is opened, whensaid jaws are moved toward each'other, I

7. The invention according to clairn'6 in which said jaws comprise third opposed tube gripping portions adjacent said second end, said third portions being concave circular and on the opposite sides of said jaws from said second tube gripping portions, said first and second connecting means being detachable so that said first and second jaws maybe reversed to render said third tube gripping portions operative to open a pinched tubeof a difierent size from 'a tube opened by said second tube gripping portions. 4 V i 8. The invention according to claim 7 in which said first tube gripping portions are cylinders 'whose axes coincide with the longitudinal axes of said jaws;

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED, STATES PATENTS 1,724,697 Dobrick Aug. 13, 1929 1,986,025 Stecher Ian. 1, 1935 1,994,973 Whalan et a1 Mar. 19, 1935 2,278,932 Kellems Apr. 7,1942 2,483,982 Paquin Oct. 4, 1949 2,s92,4so Franck r. June so, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,483 Great Britain Mar. 6, 1884 

1. A TOOL FOR CLOSING A TUBE OR THE LIKE COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST ELONGATED JAW HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, (B) A SECOND ELONGATED JAW HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, (C) SAID JAWS HAVING OPPOSED TUBE GRIPPING SURFACES EXTENDING BETWEEN THE ENDS OF SID CORRESPONDING JAWS, (D) EACH TUBE GRIPPING SURFACE HAVING A CONVEX CROSSSECTION TRANSVERSELY OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF ITS CORRESPONDING JAW, (E) FIRST MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID FIRST ENDS 